MSc Public Relations

This CIPR-accredited Public Relations course is designed to give practitioners the skills and ability to think creatively and adopt the latest tools in modern PR campaigns. PR is rapidly evolving as consumers/stakeholders increasingly take control on instantly accessible worldwide communication channels, and organisations rely less and less on newspapers and traditional media to disseminate information. With new technologies and social communication media on the rise, PR practitioners are more in demand than ever.

The MSc Public Relations is fully accredited by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, the professional body for public relations and public affairs practitioners. Students enrolled on the MSc Public Relations are eligible for CIPR Student Membership. This provides access to numerous industry and personal development opportunities as well as the member’s area of the CIPR website. The CIPR website includes a dedicated student area which offers help and advice on entering the PR industry and free online training.

A key feature of modern marketing is the decline of mass communication in favour of multiple person-to-person networks and mobile messenger apps such as WhatsApp. Sitting alongside traditional PR tools, social networks and blog sites are now part of the PR practitioner’s toolkit. This accredited course will expose you to the challenges at the forefront of modern PR and enhance your ability to manage brand and corporate identity effectively.

You will explore the radical shift in PR, as traditional channels such as advertising and sales promotion have changed. The course will further develop your understanding of word-of-mouth marketing, including social networks and the growing popularity of photo and video sharing sites.

From Facebook and Twitter to YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram, you will challenge traditional methods and the contemporary thinking associated with marketing and stakeholder communications. The course will also cover the importance of brand reputation and the growing demand for essential skills in crisis management, and enhance your knowledge and understanding of the role PR plays in modern politics.

You will explore the radical shift in PR, as traditional channels such as advertising and sales promotion have changed. The course will further develop your understanding of word-of-mouth marketing, including social networks and the growing popularity of photo and video sharing sites. From Facebook and Twitter to YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram, you will challenge traditional methods and the contemporary thinking associated with marketing and stakeholder communications. The course will also cover the importance of brand reputation and the growing demand for essential skills in crisis management, and enhance your knowledge and understanding of the role PR plays in modern politics.

Modules of study:

PR Concepts and Practice This module aims to provide an introductory critique of key concepts and tools of modern PR practice and implementation. It examines the theoretical underpinnings of the subject by exploring how PR is utilised to influence issues within society, industry and the environment.

Brands & Reputation Management This module aims to provide a critique of the key theoretical underpinning surrounding the consumption, construction and reputation management of brands – a key responsibility for modern PR practitioners.

Strategic Marketing This module critically examines the key elements of strategic marketing and its interface with business strategy.

Content Marketing & Public Relations This module provides a solid foundation for writing and factual story-telling as well as verbal communication within a marketing and PR context.

Managing Professional Development The aim of this module is to support personal and professional development for a business related professional career.

Campaign Planning for Marketing & PR The aim of this module is to enable you to understand the key constructs associated with campaign planning for marketing and PR, notably the use of digital technology.

Research Methods The aim of this module is to develop your understanding and skills of research in a management and/or professional development context, focusing on a critical review of research methodologies and methods.

Management Project This module introduces you to the intellectual and scholarly requirements of producing an extended piece of written postgraduate research.

Teaching

Full-time students study each subject intensively over a period of several weeks. Part-time delivery is designed around the needs of practicing marketing managers and PR professionals. You will learn through lectures, seminars, group work, case studies, and analyses of communications materials and networks, as well as specialist guest lecturers from leading professionals. The course also includes potential for a site visit to a media communications organisation.

Through our series of guest lecturers delivered by leading industry experts, you can also gain up to the moment insights into the challenges and practices pertinent to image management and PR planning.

Assessment

Assessment is assignment-based, so you can explore each subject to develop your critical and analytical skills. The final requirement is a dissertation or business research project, where you will examine an aspect of PR in depth.

Fees apply to new students starting a course in the academic year indicated. Full-time fees are per year and part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee will remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course. USW Postgraduate Bursary is available for new UK and EU students starting an eligible course. International Scholarships are also available for self-funding international students.

August
2018
- July
2019
Fees

Full-time UK and EU:
£6000

Please note the full-time UK and EU fee is £9000, however USW is offering a full-time UK and EU bursary of £3000 which means students pay £6000

Full-time International:
£13000

August
2019
- July
2020
Fees

Full-time UK and EU: TBC

Full-time International:
£13400

August
2020
- July
2021
Fees

Full-time UK and EU: TBC

Full-time International: TBC

Additional Costs

Students have access to a wide range of resources including textbooks, publications, and computers in the University’s library and via online resources. In most cases they are more than sufficient to complete a course of study. Where there are additional costs, either obligatory or optional, these are detailed below. Of course students may choose to purchase their own additional personal resources/tools over and above those listed to support their studies at their own expense. All stationery and printing costs are at a student’s own expense.

*
Obligatory

Item

Cost

Professional Memberships: Student membership of the CIPR

£35

Student membership of the CIPR

Placement expenses: Work placement

Students are encouraged to undertake a period of work placement. Students undertaking placement may incur costs associated with travel and expected workplace attire will vary according to the placement.

Placement expenses: Sandwich year

Costs may be incurred while completing sandwich year if chosen. Costs associated with travel and expected workplace attire will vary according to the placement. Year 3 only.

Apply directly to the University if you are applying for a part-time, professional or postgraduate course, an Erasmus/Exchange programme, the Legal Practice (part-time) course, to top up your Foundation Degree or HND, or to transfer to USW from another institution.

The skills you will gain on the MSc Public Relations course will allow you to help your employer or company gain a competitive edge by managing meaningful relationships through PR. You will also gain the latest intelligence about social networking, new communication techniques and how to manage new and emerging digital channels.

Students will typically be offered the opportunity to meet representatives from PR companies who offer internships by way of guest talks. In addition, the University of South Wales Careers and Employability Service helps students with all aspects of careers and employability. Services range from individual advice and guidance on CVs & applications, interviews, work experience, internships, volunteering, practical support with job hunting and working/studying overseas.

As a student of this course you will have access to help and advice from a dedicated student area on the CIPR website on starting your career within the public relations industry.

Our Careers and Employability Service

This includes: one-to-one appointments from faculty based Career Advisers, in person, over the phone or even on Skype and through email via the "Ask a Question" service. We also have extensive online resources for help with considering your career options and presenting yourself well to employers. Resources include psychometric tests, career assessments, a CV builder, interview simulator and application help. Our employer database has over 2,000 registered employers targeting USW students, you can receive weekly email alerts for jobs.

Our Careers service has dedicated teams: A central work experience team to help you find relevant placements; an employability development team which includes an employability programme called Grad Edge; and an Enterprise team focused on new business ideas and entrepreneurship.

Highlight Stories

The Pontypridd Campus is made up of two sites: Treforest and Glyntaff. Our students love the community atmosphere, as well as living and studying in the same place. It’s quieter than the cities, with green open spaces and views across the valley.